Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler revealed this past week that he is a diabetic. Eventhough, it is a manageable disease his future is in doubt.
The only other National Football League player that was a diabetic was quarterback Wade Wilson. Wilson was a career backup, and only started one year in 1993 for the New Orleans Saints. So, there is no set precedent on diabetics starting in the NFL.
There are many other superstars in other sports that are diabetic, according to ESPN, tennis stars Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King, Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr., NHL star Bobby Clarke, baseball Hall of Famer Ty Cobb and boxing greats Joe Frazier and Sugar Ray Robinson.
There is one major difference between those sports, and football. Athletes for those sports go three to four minutes at a time. In hockey players play for a one minute shift, and then sit for two to three more. Boxing rounds are only three minutes. Swimming goes usually for only a couple of minutes depending on the length of the race. Finally tennis players do play for seveal minutes at a time, but can ask for a timeout whenever they want.
Football is a totally different animal, and is very demanding. First, an NFL athlete can be on the field for over ten minutes at a time. Secondly, there are only a limited number of timeouts that a team can have, so if it is in the two minutes of each half, and Cutler needs help off the field then the Broncos will be charged a time out. If they do not have on then there is a ten second runoff, and that could cost them the game.
Also, there is one huge factor that plays into this. Cutler is the Broncos starting quarterback. After each series the offensive coordinator goes over what the defense just did, and necessary adjustments. Cutler will have to check his blood sugar after every drive, and even with the current technology, every second that you lose that could be used to make adjustments is a victory for your opponent.
Finally, the Broncos will have to keep a competent backup, just in case Cutler goes into a diabetic shock, or starts feeling the effects of his disease. Then if Cutler is struggling, and the backup comes in and wins a couple of games then the Broncos will have a problem on their hands.
Two words: quarterback controversy
So, is it really worth it in the end? That is something for you to decide.
In the end with MIke Shanahan on the hot seat now you can expect Cutler to have a quick hook on him if he struggles.